4294. prokatartizó

Lexical Summary

prokatartizó: To prepare beforehand, to make ready in advance

Original Word: προκαταρτίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: prokatartizó
Pronunciation: pro-kat-ar-TID-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (prok-at-ar-tid'-zo)
KJV: make up beforehand
NASB: arrange beforehand
Word Origin: [from G4253 (πρό - before) and G2675 (καταρτίζω - prepared)]

1. to prepare in advance

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

prepare beforehand

From pro and katartizo; to prepare in advance -- make up beforehand.

see GREEK pro

see GREEK katartizo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from pro and katartizó
Definition
to make ready beforehand
NASB Translation
arrange beforehand (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4294: προκαταρτίζω

προκαταρτίζω: 1 aorist subjunctive 3 person plural προκαταρτίσωσι; to prepare (A. V. make up) beforehand: τί, 2 Corinthians 9:5. (Hippocrates; ecclesiastical writings.)

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Greek 4294 speaks to the deliberate work of arranging or equipping something ahead of time so that it is fit for use when the moment arrives. Its single appearance in the New Testament centers on the orderly preparation of a benevolent offering, revealing Scripture’s concern that Christian generosity be handled with foresight, integrity, and honor to Christ.

Use in 2 Corinthians 9:5

Paul writes, “So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised, so that it will be ready as a generous gift and not as one grudgingly given” (2 Corinthians 9:5).

1. Paul dispatches trusted delegates (“the brothers”) to Corinth before his own arrival.
2. Their mission is to “finish the arrangements,” ensuring the collection is complete, orderly, and voluntary.
3. The apostle’s goal is that the contribution be presented as a “generous gift,” not extracted under pressure, thus preserving the sincerity of the Corinthians’ earlier enthusiasm (2 Corinthians 9:2).

The word therefore captures Paul’s pastoral wisdom: practical steps taken in advance safeguard both the testimony of the givers and the welfare of the recipients.

Historical Background

• The Jerusalem church was facing material hardship (Romans 15:25-26). Paul commissioned assemblies in Macedonia and Achaia to gather relief funds, knitting Gentile believers to their Jewish brothers and sisters.
• A year earlier the Corinthians had been zealous to participate (2 Corinthians 8:10). Yet delays and internal tensions risked undermining their promise.
• By arranging matters beforehand, Paul protected them from last-minute embarrassment (2 Corinthians 9:4) and from any suspicion of mishandling funds (2 Corinthians 8:20-21).
• Such careful administration became a model for later church practice—delegated teams, transparent accounting, and advance planning for benevolence.

Theological Significance

1. Stewardship and Order. Scripture consistently weds spiritual fervor to practical order (1 Corinthians 14:40). The term stresses that generosity flourishes where disciplined preparation is in place.
2. Integrity of Motive. An offering readied beforehand shows that giving is voluntary, not coerced; joyful, not reluctant (2 Corinthians 9:7).
3. Unity of the Body. Pre-arranged relief tangibly expresses the one-ness of the church across ethnic and geographic lines (Ephesians 2:14-16).
4. Witness to the World. Careful advance planning protects the gospel from reproach and magnifies God, “for we are taking pains to do what is right, not only before the Lord but also before men” (2 Corinthians 8:21).

Ministry Application

• Local congregations emulate Paul by budgeting benevolence funds ahead of crises, avoiding hurried appeals that may pressure saints.
• Mission trips, building projects, and relief efforts benefit from early organization, written commitments, and designated stewards.
• Individual believers likewise “set aside a sum of money in keeping with their income” (1 Corinthians 16:2), integrating planned generosity into ordinary budgeting.
• Elders and deacons use the principle behind Strong’s 4294 to develop transparent financial policies, enhancing trust and freeing the church to abound in good works (Titus 3:8).

Related Scriptural Themes

Preparation for service: Luke 22:8-13; Colossians 4:10-12.

Diligence and foresight: Proverbs 6:6-8; Proverbs 21:5.

Exemplary giving: Acts 11:29-30; Philippians 4:14-18.

Protection of reputation: 2 Corinthians 8:19-24; 1 Timothy 3:7.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 4294 underscores the wisdom of preparing in advance so that Christian charity retains its voluntary joy, protects its testimony, and meets real needs without delay. By sending coworkers ahead to complete the Corinthian collection, Paul displayed a model of orderly stewardship that still guides churches and believers toward faithful, proactive generosity in Christ’s name.

Forms and Transliterations

προκαταρτισωσι προκαταρτίσωσι προκαταρτίσωσιν prokatartisosin prokatartisōsin prokatartísosin prokatartísōsin

Englishman's Concordance

2 Corinthians 9:5 V-ASA-3P
GRK: ὑμᾶς καὶ προκαταρτίσωσιν τὴν προεπηγγελμένην
NAS: that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised
KJV: and make up beforehand your
INT: you and should complete beforehand the foreannounced

Strong's Greek 4294
1 Occurrence

προκαταρτίσωσιν — 1 Occ.